INDEX FRESH SEMINAR SERIES

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1 INDEX FRESH SEMINAR SERIES Acidification & ph Control with SO 2 -Sulfurous Acid Generators By Terry R. Gong Harmon Systems International, LLC We provide solutions that benefit the world 1

2 Presentation Agenda 1. Illustrate how nature controls ph. 2. The Importance of ph in Agriculture. 3. Explain what causes our irrigated farmland to become salt affected. 4. Explain why Harmon SO 2 -Sulfurous Acid Generator is the most cost effective way to amend/control ph. 5. Questions. Harmon Systems International, LLC 2

3 When trying to improve agronomic conditions, what should we use as a reference or starting point? Harmon Systems International, LLC 3

4 Hydrogen From the Greek words hydro and genes, which together mean "water forming and estimated to be: 93% of all the atoms in the universe. Harmon Systems International, LLC 4

5 1. Sulfur is a base element that when burned, oxidizes into sulfur dioxide. 2. When sulfur dioxide contacts water, it forms sulfurous acid and causes S + O SO 2 + H 2 O H 2 SO 3 the molecular bonds of water to immediately break apart into free hydrogen and bisulfite. 3.Free hydrogen is acid and it reacts with bicarbonates in water which transforms and recycles it into water and carbon dioxide H + HSO HCO O 2 H 2 O + CO 2 H + + SO = 4 + HCO The other hydrogen then releases after the bisulfite reacts with dissolved oxygen or is oxidized by sulfur feeding bacteria which transforms it into free hydrogen and sulfate to neutralize additional bicarbonates in water to form more water and carbon dioxide H 2 O + CO 2 5 Harmon Systems International, LLC

6 Volcanism: Nature s source of SO 2 Harmon Systems International, LLC 6

7 U.S. EPA ph Chart Harmon Systems International, LLC Herbert Swenson US Geological Survey Publication 7

8 Everything in nature has a purpose and the role of volcanism is shifting us to adopting a new paradigm. RESET It is how earth recycles: hydrogen; sulfur; carbon; oxygen; creates and processes water; deconstructs chemical compounds; resets elements; self-adjusts its ph; feeds bacteria, plants, and animals; and how life on this planet is sustained. Harmon Systems International, LLC 8

9 Precipitated salt carbonates near Bonneville, Utah Harmon Systems International, LLC The planet Mars and its surface 9

10 Normal Rain (ph 5.6) vs. Acid Rain (ph <5.6) Harmon Systems International, LLC 10

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12 Plant Physiology & Nutrient Availability Harmon Systems International, LLC 12

13 Structure of Amino Acids Harmon Systems International, LLC 13

14 Sulfur is a Major Plant Nutrient Harmon Systems International, LLC 14

15 Sierra snowmelt Saline and Alkaline water from CA Aqueduct Lower Colorado River Groundwater pumped from deep well aquifers The vast majority of the water that we use for irrigation has no acidity and/or provides sulfur in the wrong form. Recycled Water Rainwater Harmon Systems International, LLC 15

16 THE MAJOR CONSTITUENTS IN WATER Cations: Calcium Ca ++ Magnesium Mg ++ Sodium Na + Potassium K + Anions: Bicarbonate HCO 3 Total Carbonate CO = 3 Alkalinity Chloride Cl Sulfate SO 4 = Total Dissolved Solids Harmon Systems International, LLC 16

17 The Precipitation of Salts and Mineral Scaling Calcium + 2 Bicarbonates upon drying Calcium + Water + Carbon Carbonate Dioxide Ca ++ + _ (HCO 3 )2 CaCO 3 + H 2 O + CO 2 lime Alkaline/Saline water applied to soil CaCO 3 Ca CaCO 3 Ca CaCO 3 Ca CaCO 3 Ca CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 Ca Ca Ca CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 Ca CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO3CaCaCO3CaCO3 CaCO3Ca 1 Meq./L or ppm of bicarbonates approximates 200 lbs. of salt precipitating potential in acre-foot of water. Harmon Systems International, LLC 17

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19 Traditional approaches to the problem: Home Agriculture Gypsum Harmon Systems International, LLC 19

20 In 1955, D & J Harmon invented and pioneered the technique of amending irrigation water and soil with SO 2 /Sulfurous Acid/Bisulfite Generators. Harmon Systems International, LLC 20

21 The Harmon SO 2 /Sulfurous Acid Generator: Harmon Systems International, LLC 21

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23 Harmon Systems International, LLC 23

24 Synthetic Strong Acid Sulfuric S + O 2 Natural Weak Acid SO 2 Sulfurous SO 2 + H 2 O H 2 SO 4 H 2 SO 3 H + H + SO 4 = + + H ñ HSO - 3 HCO 3 - HCO 3 - HCO 3 -.5O 2 H 2 O + CO 2 H 2 O + CO 2 H 2 O + CO 2 H + + SO 4 = + HCO 3 - Harmon Systems International, LLC H 2 O + CO 2 24

25 H + + H + + SO 4 = Sulfuric Harmon Systems International, LLC 25

26 HSO 3 (Delayed release) H + (Initial release) Sulfurous Harmon Systems International, LLC 26

27 If a situation required feed rate of 300 moles of hydrogen (H + ) to neutralize bicarbonates (HCO 3 ) to attain a ph equilibrium of 6.5, here are the reactions: Sulfuric Sulfuric + Bicarbonate yields Carbonic + Sulfate yields Water + Carbon + Sulfate Acid Acid Dioxide H 2 SO HCO 3 2H 2 CO 3 + SO = 4 2H 2 O + 2CO 2 + SO = 4 Requires 150 moles of sulfuric acid to achieve this equilibrium with no residual H + left in solution. Directional flow within the conveyance system 6.5 ph amended irrigation water SO 2 /Sulfurous Sulfurous + Bicarbonate yields Carbonic + Bisulfite yields Water + Carbon + Bisulfite + Oxygen & yields Acid + Sulfate Acid Acid Dioxide H 2 SO 3 + HCO 3 H 2 CO 3 + HSO 3 H 2 O + CO 2 + HSO 3 +.5O 2 H + + SO = 4 Requires the oxidation/dosing of 300 moles of S into SO 2 to achieve this equilibrium with 300 moles of residual H + in solution Harmon Systems International, LLC 27

28 Neutralization of Calcium Carbonate Acid + Calcium yields Calcium + Carbonic yields Calcium + Water + Carbon Carbonate Acid Dioxide 2 H + + CaCO 3 Ca ++ + H 2 CO 3 Ca ++ + H 2 O + CO 2 Irrigation water treated with sulfuric acid to 6.5 ph has no residual acidity; leaves 58% of Total Alkalinity Intact. H SO 4 = Irrigation water dosed with SO 2 to 6.5 ph still contains residual acidity; sequentially eliminates remaining Alkalinity H HSO 3 CaCO 3 Ca CaCO 3 Ca CaCO 3 Ca CaCO 3 Ca Ca Ca Ca Ca Ca Ca Ca CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 Ca Ca Ca CaCO 3 Ca CaCO 3 Ca Ca Ca Ca CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO 3 Ca CaCO 3 CaCO 3 Ca Ca Ca Ca Ca CaCO 3 CaCO 3 CaCO3CaCaCO3CaCO3 CaCO3Ca CaCO 3 Ca CaCO 3 CaCO 3 Ca Ca CaO 3 Harmon Systems International, LLC 28

29 Soil always takes on the characteristics of the materials applied upon it Amending with SO 2 liberates acidifying H + protons and bisulfite HSO 3- from irrigation water and delivers it into the soil Accelerates the overall amount of H + protons and HSO 3 - bisulfite a geographic area would receive under normal conditions. Rainwater Harmon Systems International, LLC 29

30 Comparing the last samples tested on 11/11/11 to these new samples taken on 1/24/13, we can see that ph and EC continues to lower overall. This indicates that the sulfur burner continues to aid in reducing alkalinity and salinity in these soils to these safe levels. Harmon Systems International, LLC 30

31 SO2/Sulfurous Acid vs. Sulfuric Acid Pricing For Central for Central Valley, Valley CA February as of May 13, 5, What is the cost difference of SO2/Sulfurous Acid compared to Sulfuric Acid? The cost of 99.9% elemental sulfur and 93% sulfuric acid for this example adjusted for material purity is computed as follows: 454 grams in one pound 32 atomic weight of sulfur 14.2 moles of sulfur per lb. x 2 hydrogen ions derived per mole of sulfur 28.4 moles of hydrogen derived from lb. of sulfur Cost Cost of of sulfur:($ ($ ton ton + +.1%) 2,000 lbs. = = per lb. Cost Cost per per mole: mole: (.1827 ( ) 28.4) 600 moles of hydrogen (H+) 600 moles of hydrogen (H + from sulfurous acid would have a ) from sulfurous acid would have a material cost of $3.84 (600 x.0064) material cost of $3.76 ( ). 454 grams in one pound 98 atomic weight of sulfuric acid 4.6 moles of sulfuric acid per lb. x 2 hydrogen ions derived per mole of sulfuric 9.2 moles of hydrogen derived from lb. of sulfuric Cost of of sulfuric: ($ ($ ton 7%) + 7%) 2,000 2,000 lbs. = lbs.= per lb. per lb Cost Cost per per mole: mole: (.0936 ( ) 9.2) 600 moles of hydrogen (H+) 600 moles of hydrogen (H + from sulfuric acid would have a ) from sulfuric acid would have a material material cost cost of of $6.12 $6.80 (600 (600 x.0102).01134). material cost of $3.76 (600 x.00626). material cost of $6.80 (600 x.01134). Conclusion: Amending water water to ph to ph with with sulfuric sulfuric will will will still still still leave leave 58% 58% 58% of of of the the the Total Total Total Alkalinity intact intact intact and and and no no no residual residual acidity. acidity Oxidizing sulfur sulfur and and dosing dosing it as it sulfur as sulfur dioxide dioxide (SO 2 )(SO in water 2 ) into enables water you enables to manufacture you to manufacture sulfurous acid sulfurous on-site, acid double on-site, the double amount of the acidity amount at 63% of acidity of the at material 55% of cost the of material sulfuric cost ($3.84 of sulfuric $6.12), ($3.76 and deliver $6.80), acidity and directly deliver into acidity the soil directly to dissolve into the soil soil carbonates, to dissolve leach soil salts carbonates, and prevent leach their salts accumulation, and prevent enhance their accumulation, fertility, and optimize enhance the fertility, use and and efficiency optimize of the water. use and efficiency of water. Harmon Systems International, LLC 31

32 Integrating the Harmon Sulfurous Acid Generator into your Farming Operation 1. Irrigation Suitability Analysis of the water source that will be amended (particularly, what is the bicarbonate (HCO3 - ) and carbonate (CO3 - ) level?) 2. What is the minimum and maximum irrigation flow rate (GPM) at this location? In the future, will this amount increase or decrease? 3. Does your irrigation system draw water from a holding reservoir or canal? 4. If it is directly from a deep well, what is the maximum water pressure (PSI) of the irrigation line downstream of the pump/filter station? 5. What type of power do you have available at this location? Do you have single or three phase electrical power (240v or 480v)? Does it use a gas/diesel booster pump? Have you ever considered using a diesel powered electrical generator (gen-set)? Harmon Systems International, LLC 32

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